25 Year Old Motorcycle? Should I?

SBassman · #1 05-29-2010, 05:39 PM

Should I buy a 25 yr old bike to get back on two wheels, or should I resist? I sold my bike a coupla years ago because the kids were going off to college, and it wasn't right that I had a few-K bike in the garage. Now I could really use to get back on a junker - so that I can give the car to the kids home from college. Can only afford 80's bikes. Should I buy one, or will I be finding myself getting towed home?

Pilgrim · #2 05-29-2010, 06:03 PM

Of course it will break - but as long as you're competent to do your own repairs, go for it.

But if you're not competent to do the repairs - stay far, far away.

SBassman · #3 05-29-2010, 06:05 PM

I am definitely not competent to do the repairs.

I was spoiled by a new Honda Shadow that, in 5 years of service, didn't even burp the wrong way. That's what I need in any bike - start it and go. Change the oil. Change the rubber. That's it.

hdracer · #4 05-29-2010, 06:12 PM

Not worth it. Parts are hard to get, the dealers don't stock them and a lot of times can't get them. No one will work on them. (I get 10 calls a week) If anything major (ignition,cam chains, rings) It will cost 3x what it is worth. You may find a nice cheap bike that will last you a long time but the odds are it will be run to death. Save your money and keep a eye out and you can find some nice later model bikes for a good price. My .02c from 35+ years in the motorcycle business

SBassman · #5 05-29-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

Not worth it. Parts are hard to get, the dealers don't stock them and a lot of times can't get them. No one will work on them. (I get 10 calls a week) If anything major (ignition,cam chains, rings) It will cost 3x what it is worth. You may find a nice cheap bike that will last you a long time but the odds are it will be run to death. Save your money and keep a eye out and you can find some nice later model bikes for a good price. My .02c from 35+ years in the motorcycle business

Interesting. And thank you. On the other hand, I hear some people say older Hondas can run forever, but ... The bike I was looking at was a Honda VT500. 1985.

But, my gut tells me exactly what you said. Reality is, though - it means I won't get back on two wheels. I really don't have the bucks.

ulrich · #6 05-29-2010, 06:22 PM

25 years old no. 21-18 years yes. Modern tire sizes, liquid cooling, perimeter frames.... Massive improvements were made towards the end of the eighties.

hdracer · #7 05-29-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

Interesting. And thank you. On the other hand, I hear some people say older Hondas can run forever, but ... The bike I was looking at was a Honda VT500. 1985.

But, my gut tells me exactly what you said. Reality is, though - it means I won't get back on two wheels. I really don't have the bucks.

I know that bike. They didn't make them that long. Cam chain & cooling issues (water pump) With proper maintenance most all the bikes made in the past 20 years will run a long time. The key word is "proper maintenance" most owners ran them until they dropped, rarely changing the oil or coolant,then they are junk.

SBassman · #8 05-29-2010, 06:38 PM

How about a 1999 Vulcan 500. What's the story on those?

hdracer · #9 05-29-2010, 07:16 PM

I don't know a lot about them. When you are looking at a used 5+ year old bike, the things to look for are:
1) Appearance, believe it or not that can tell you a lot about a bike. If a owner takes the time to keep the bike clean odds are he took the time to maintain it. Look around the engine and underneath, did they just wash off the paint or has it been well cared for.

2) Tires & brakes, Are they brand name (Dunlop,Pirelli,Metzler, Avon) and in good shape? If they are no name brands (Duro,Kenda,IRC) they are junk and will need to be replaced soon ($450.00-500.00 front & rear mounted & balanced for Dunlop) Once more, if they put junk tires on it they cheeped out on the maintenance all along the way. Just because it is a inexpensive motorcycle does not mean you put cheap tires & brakes on it. Your life depends on two small patches of rubber. You need to be able to stop as fast as you can and grip in all weather conditions.

3) Oil & coolant, pull the oil plug and look at the dipstick, is it clean or black? if it is clean but has a black looking coating, they just changed it, and it was black. Next, smell the engine, stick your nose in the oil filler and take a wiff. It should smell like motor oil with a slight smoky sent. If it stinks, smells burnt, It is. This is the #1 killer of motorcycles. The coolant should be clean, not brown or milky, Does it have the proper level? See burnt motor.

Ask the owner if he has maintenance records. With proper care & maintenance a modern motorcycle can pass 100K, most owners don't do the maintenance and the bikes don't make it.

McHaven · #10 05-29-2010, 08:44 PM

I have no problem with vintage bikes. The vintage bikes that I like have lots of parts available. However, I'm interested in BMWs and old Honda CBs. Lots of interchanging parts in those models. A vintage BMW will run forever with proper maintenance. Plenty of them on the road still with over 600,000 miles.

Pilgrim · #11 05-29-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

I am definitely not competent to do the repairs.

I was spoiled by a new Honda Shadow that, in 5 years of service, didn't even burp the wrong way. That's what I need in any bike - start it and go. Change the oil. Change the rubber. That's it.

Then I doubt anything but a new bike or a deep checkbook will work for you. Hopefully others can tell you which bikes will require minimal maintenence.

But don't drive a bike unless you have a top-notch helmet, good medical coverage, and a current will. I have the steel plate in one leg that makes the case.

iamlowsound · #12 05-29-2010, 10:43 PM

I have a 35 year old Honda that runs perfectly, but I take great care of it. Vulcans are good bikes.

lowsound

MJ5150 · #13 05-30-2010, 12:11 AM

I have one over 60 years old, I'm sure yours will be fine.

-Mike

blendermassacre · #14 05-30-2010, 12:41 AM

I think the problem with motorcycles in this country (generalizing) is that they are mostly secondary/ novelty transportation. They take up garage space, and when they go bad, people either sell them as is, or sit on the, to fix it one day, and then sell it.

This is the reason I didn't buy a motorcycle for transportation. I didn't have the money to buy something reliable, so I just didn't. I was going to use it as my main mode of transportation until winter. The thought of having a bike with unknown issues that I needed was a little much foe me, especially if I was going to try to be on it every day. I'm no expert by that's my .02

cardboardJoe · #15 05-30-2010, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdracer

Not worth it. Parts are hard to get, the dealers don't stock them and a lot of times can't get them. No one will work on them. (I get 10 calls a week) If anything major (ignition,cam chains, rings) It will cost 3x what it is worth. You may find a nice cheap bike that will last you a long time but the odds are it will be run to death. Save your money and keep a eye out and you can find some nice later model bikes for a good price. My .02c from 35+ years in the motorcycle business

^ this ^ (also 35+ years in the mc biz)

Jefenator · #16 05-30-2010, 10:55 AM

I'm more in to '70s bikes, myself. For me, that's the golden era. Enough power to haul my big self at highway speeds, but still mechanically simple.

I'm really trying to find something with a kick start and points (as opposed to electronic ignition, which pretty much took over around 1980).

I should have never sold my '77 Honda CB750. Noob as I was, I turned it from basket case to an awesome runner. It was THE perfect rig for me and like an idiot, I traded it away.

SBassman · #17 05-30-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

I'm more in to '70s bikes, myself. For me, that's the golden era. Enough power to haul my big self at highway speeds, but still mechanically simple.

I'm really trying to find something with a kick start and points (as opposed to electronic ignition, which pretty much took over around 1980).

I should have never sold my '77 Honda CB750. Noob as I was, I turned it from basket case to an awesome runner. It was THE perfect rig for me and like an idiot, I traded it away.

I think some of the older Hondas are awesome. You probably deal with those older bikes because you're handy with them. I would imagine someone handy with bikes could have an awful lot of fun. The ads are Filled with bikes that people did not care for properly. Then they go selling them for close to nothing. I imagine a good mechanic can take at least Some of them and bring them back to good life.

Unfortunately, that's not a description of me.

[kinda sad, too, since I come from a family of mechanics. Grandfather, father, two brothers. Somehow, it escaped me.

I'm totally useless with engines. Terrible.]